Hiller UH-12D (H23) N6408

Summary

On 24 May 1987 at about 16:30 local time, a Hiller UH-12D (H23) registered N6408 was involved in an accident near Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. No probable cause statement is available for this record.

Date

24 May 1987 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States

Coordinates

34.9497, -82.0895

Aircraft

Hiller UH-12D (H23)

Registration

N6408

Category

Helicopter

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Spartanburg → Duncan

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL87FA147

1 person died.

The NTSB has not published a probable cause for this record. No probable cause statement is present in the source data.

Nothing about the cause is stated here that is not in the source record.

Read the full NTSB narrative

DURING A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT ABOVE THE TREETOPS, THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT THEY HEARD A LOUD 'POP' OVER THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE. THE PLT TOLD HER THAT THEY WERE GOING DOWN AND SHE NOTICED THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES BEGAN TO TURN SLOWER THAN USUAL BEFORE THE HELO COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THEN THE GROUND. A PROLONGED POST IMPACT GROUND FIRE CONSUMED THE WRECKAGE. THOROUGH EXAMINATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS, ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE FUEL AND IGNITION SYSTEM WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY FIRE AND WAS UNABLE TO BE EVALUATED. ASSOCIATES OF THE PILOT STATED THAT HE USUALLY OPERATED AT APPROX 200 FT AGL.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.